Kaieteur News

Monday February 10, 2014

Kaieteur News

Page 5

Letters... Where your views make the news... Letters... Where your views make the news

All those who are poor do not commit crimes DEAR EDITOR, Some social theories suggest that those who are in poverty, got that way merely of their own accord. It is true that drug and ganginfested neighbourhoods of today often do invest in their own downfall through discouraging new growth and an infusion of economic and social relief through unsavory acts of crime. However, your editorial dated 28th January 2014 has gone against the social scientist theory that crime is linked with poverty. I agree with your analysis based on the evidence you have put forward to show that some crimes that are committed in Guyana are not link to poverty. Society on a whole has a general misconception of the link between poverty and crime. Although crime is often committed by those who are impoverished, all those who are poor do not commit crimes. Other misconceptions include the assumption that people of colour are automatically more likely to

commit crime because of the colour of their skin rather than their surroundings and upbringing. Many of these misconceptions may lead to adverse effects of racism in real-life meetings between those with and those without. There is a perception that poverty drives and impels man to commit crimes. Based on these perceptions, individuals who come from poor neighbourhoods and poor families and uneducated, are more likely to commit crimes as against those who come from wealthy families. The perception also implies that children from well-to-do families or those whose parents are wealthy and live in classy neighbourhoods are not likely to commit crime. The idea is that they have everything to lose from committing crimes. However, you have disputed this theory by showing that in Guyana “In recent years, crimes, including murder, robbery and assault have been allegedly committed by the offspring of persons in the magistracy,

government, and police force just to mention a few”. This has shown that the most vulnerable in society are not the only ones who commit crime but rather it is spread right across the society. Furthermore, I think what you were trying to point out is that crime has manifested itself throughout society for the benefit of particular class against the other class. Crime is seen in this modern times as protecting one’s turf to remain dominant within society. It’s not hunger but it’s the controlling factor that those rich persons are trying to protect. This perception may be true when it is analyzed at a superficial level. Parents of these young children in poorer neighbourhoods are more likely to be jobless. If they even have jobs they are daily wage earners whose income is not enough to support the needs of the family. Because of the need to support family and to make ends meet, the parents take on multiple jobs, leaving the

Guyana is an evolving democracy DEAR EDITOR, Guyana is an evolving democracy. We have managed over the several decades to free ourselves from colonial rule and PNC dictatorial rule. Today we can all take pride in the fact that we live in a full-fledged parliamentary democracy. The elections of 1953 could be regarded as a watershed in terms of constitutional advancement, even though the first PPP government was short lived thanks to the intrigues of Anglo-American imperialism. Prior to the elections of 1953, the franchise was limited only to the propertied class and those with money, one consequence of which was the preservation of the then status quo based on naked exploitation of the working class by a dominant expatriate class. This exploitative situation was facilitated by the Colonial Office, which did very little to protect the interests of the ordinary working people. The rules of political engagement were to change radically with the advent of the People’s Progressive Party on the political stage. Under the dynamic and charismatic leadership of Dr. Cheddi Jagan, the working people found a true ally and friend who was never afraid to challenge the status quo. To a very large extent, the introduction of mass-based political parties took shape and form in the outlines of the

PPP which was able to connect with the Guyanese people in all parts of the country and right across the ethnic spectrum. And so it was that in the elections of 1953, the first under Universal Adult Suffrage, the PPP won a resounding victory and set in motion a new political momentum which caught the colonial office off-guard. All manner of machinations and intrigues were used by western vested interests in collaboration with local reactionary groups to remove the PPP from office, including attempts to emasculate the PPP and its leadership. This found expression in the split of the PPP in 1955 after Forbes Burnham sought unsuccessfully to take over the leadership of the PPP from Dr. Jagan. The split in the PPP was largely ideological and tactical as Dr. Jagan retained the support of a vast majority of Africans in the Party. However, the split was exploited by opportunist elements to create ethnic divisions, especially during the early 1960s, which provided the British Government with the excuse it had wanted to impose a new model of government based on proportional representation aimed at removing the PPP from government. The British Government, under pressure from the United States, deliberately

withheld political independence for the colony until the PPP was engineered out of office as in fact happened in the elections of 1964. Two years later, Britain granted independence status to the colony on May 26, 1966 under the PNC-UF coalition Government. It took well over two decades before constitutional and democratic rule returned to the country in the elections of October 5, 1992. An entirely new cohort of voters has since emerged who never experienced what life was like during those painful days of authoritarian rule. Many including some psuedo-intellectuals peddle all manner of misinformation about our past history in their attempt to denigrate the role of the PPP in the struggle for a free and democratic society. Facts however are stubborn things and no amount of distortion and misinformation can erase from the historical records and our collective institutional memory the role played by the PPP in the advance of the constitutional rights of the Guyanese people. Hydar Ally

A mini health check is the first step to donating blood.

children to take care of themselves on their own. As a result, they have less time for the family, and to take care of their children. In view of the absence of parental intervention and guidance, the children, on the other hand, are involved with gangs and gang-related activities. Because the neighborurhood is full of gangs, children from these families are more likely to interact with gangs and

become gang-members. Children from these families often lack values. They are also more likely to be uneducated or drop out of school. It is likely that they will also be jobless when they reach adulthood. It is also likely that they may be engaged in crime. This is the general perception that social class and crimes are directly related. This perception is, however, baseless,

unfounded and lacks support. Today, it is no longer true that social class and crimes are directly related. In fact, even those coming from wealthy families are more likely to commit crimes, use drugs, and engage in violence. Thus, it is possible that even if an individual has everything to lose by committing a crime, he can still be engaged in crime. Morris Springer

The Ramotar admin. is soft on crime DEAR EDITOR, I would like to add my say in the letter section. The Ramotar administration is soft on crime, that is the reason why there are so many crimes are committed: killings, robbery, rape, drugs and other criminal activities around the country. Tough and harsh penalties are needed to stop criminals from committing these violent crimes. The president and all Members of Parliament need to work together to bring back the death penalty as soon as possible. Opposition parties should join in the fight against crime, not just to sit back with ideal brains. Anyone found guilty and convicted of killing, should be hanged. Hang them in public, at Cuffee Square, or

Stabroek Market Square, so others can see and get the message. Where are the Human Rights Groups when innocent people are getting killed? I guess they are hiding under their beds. The Human Rights Groups just don’t care about the victims, they only try to protect the criminal elements. The only way the Ramotar Administration can make Guyana a better, more productive, safe place to live and to do business, is to be tough on crime. Trying to be the nice guy would not work. Too many innocent people are getting killed. Why keep the killers in jail for a few years and then let them out to kill again? Hang them as soon as possible. R. Danpaul

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Kaieteur News

Monday February 10, 2014

Moves apace to stamp out filariasis - city’s insanitary state perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes transmitting parasite By Sharmain Grainger Superstitious beliefs have been one of the primary reasons some persons do not adhere to medical treatment. Moreover, it is not at all unfamiliar when workers attached to the Ministry of Health’s Mass Drug Administration (MDA) project hear remarks such as “somebody do meh” when persons are found with the symptoms of lymphatic filariasis. Lymphatic filariasis, which is sometimes simply referred to as filiariasis or elephantiasis, is in fact a vector transmitted parasite that can severely affect the human body. In fact according to Coordinator of the MDA Project, Rohan

Sagar, when the parasite multiples in the body it causes some clinical symptoms resulting in physical disfigurement, complemented by excruciating pain. According to Sagar, filiariasis in its manifested form causes lumphedema, which is popularly known as “big foot” and hydrocele which persons simply call “godee”. And there are instances, Sagaris noted, that limbs and the breasts are affected as well. He disclosed that the condition is one that is highly stigamtised. “Persons who have this disease are (sometimes) socially excluded; some are even tantalised on the road...it could be an economic burden

A simple mosquito bite can transmit the disease.

to the family because this condition could cause persons – productive member of the family, the breadwinner – to have to stay at home,” according to Sagar. In fact, according to Supervisor of the MDA Project, Nurse Faye Jones, this state of affairs has even caused some families to break-up. She disclosed that some individuals are so bent on refusing the condition as a disease that can be medically treated that they opt to fervently embrace a superstitious standpoint. “One woman, with ‘big-foot, said that because she “get do” she had to dry frog and rub it on her foot....,” confided Nurse Jones. And then there are cases where men with hydrocele prefer to insist that “‘I strain myself lifting weights’...and some even try to convince you that it is a hernia,” Sagar divulged during an interview with this publication. According to him, although hydrocele can be surgically removed, unless persons are treated for filariasis, it is likely to reoccur. In the quest to reduce, if not eradicate the disease, the MDA Project a few years ago embarked on a DEC Tablet distribution mission to target persons living at risk of contracting filariasis. Formerly the use of DEC salt was encouraged to fight the disease. According to Sagar the project, which officially

Nurse Faye Jones (at left) and Rohan Sagar display the filariasis drugs administered to target communities. A brochure is also given to persons to read more about the disease. commenced in 2012, was in fact the off-shoot of a discussion between the Government of Guyana and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) about the rehabilitation of the Georgetown sewerage system network. During that conversation, Sagar intimated that the nexus between sanitation and health was amplified. It was noted then that “the city’s sanitation was a perfect reservoir or breeding site for mosquitoes and these specific species are known to transmit filariasis,” noted Sagar. There are currently three known vectors – Aedes aegypti, Culex and Anopheles - in Guyana that can transmit the disease. And according to Sagar while these vectors are known to mostly thrive in the hinterland Regions, there

is evidence to suggest that at least the Culex is present on the Coastland. Moreover, the IDB agreed to grant the Government a loan to fund the rehabilitation of the sewerage system, complete with a component to interrupt and reduce the presence of vectors capable of transmitting the filiariasis parasite within Region Four. Following the agreement, a baseline study was done in March of 2012 to ascertain the prevalence of the disease in the Region, and according to Sagar, two communities – Lodge, Georgetown, and Melanie, East Coast Demerara – were chosen. Lodge, he noted though, has historically had high incidences of filariasis. Between the two communities, close to 1,000 individuals were tested and it was discovered that at least four per cent of that target population had the filiariasis parasite. This of course

amplified the need for treatment to commence forthwith, since based on the recommendations of the World Health Organisation (WHO), only a one per cent or less prevalence is acceptable. And so an initial phase of the MDA project was officially fast-tracked in November 2012 and concluded in July 2013. This, according to Sagar, saw MDA workers being dispatched to target communities in Region Four. This saw the distribution of Diethyl Carbamazine (the DEC Tablet) and Albendazole tablets for flushing out the parasites. Each DEC tablet of 100milligram strength is administered based on age. Children between the ages of two and five are given one tablet, while those between the ages of six and 15 are administered two. However, (Continued on page 17)

Lumphedema (big-foot) a symptom of filariasis

Monday February 10, 2014

Kaieteur News

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Thirteen Soca Monarch finalists named amid downpour in Berbice By Rehana Ahamad It rained incessantly in New Amsterdam, Berbice on Saturday night, and while it did cause hours of delay, the heavy showers did not prevent the judges from naming the finalists of the CARIB Soca Monarch 2014. The 13 contestants scheduled to challenge reigning Soca Monarch, Jumo “Rubber waist” Primo for his title are Quacy ‘Avalanche’ Coates, Clifton ‘Passion’ Adolphus, Kemmyanna ‘Kemmy’ Garnett, Jonathon ‘Lil Red’ King, Abigail ‘AJ’ James, Ernest Nelson called ‘Ernesta’, Compton ‘Mysterious’ Boyce, Roger ‘B’ Bowen, Shelon ‘Shelly G’ Garraway, Melissa Roberts better known by her stage name ‘Vanilla,’ and Kwesi ‘Ace’ Edmondson. The two other artistes who clearly amazed the judges and audience were newcomer, Timeka “Lady T’ Sinclair,’ who wowed all with her surprise dance stunts during her “Hit the Road” performance, and Orlando ‘Bones Man’ Johashen, who accompanied his witty piece“Blow,” with his strange yet very entertaining dancing. The latter two contestants were outstandingly energetic and had the full support of a gyrating crowd, even amid the drizzle in the wee hours of the morning, although, this might be attributed to their Berbician roots. Admittedly though, their performances were great. The very much anticipated tenth annual CARIB Soca Monarch got underway shortly before midnight, a few hours after its scheduled 20:00hrs start. But, this was not an issue for the large crowd gathered in front of the stage, which was set up on ‘Stelling Road’ just outside the New Amsterdam Boat Stelling. Loud and tempting music filled the cool air as the flamboyant lights, provided by the Crown Vibes technical crew, created an especially exciting party environment. But this did not prevent families from taking up picnic-

Quacy Coats booked for Soca Monarch finals. style positions at the corners of the venue. It was a treat for the little ones who were obviously up way past their bedtime. The more energetic young adults were the ones gyrating at stage front before and even after the competition ended at around 04:00hrs. The stage was opened by the Heat Waves Band, whose lead singers and back-up dancers gave a spectacular performance, setting the tone for the acts which would follow. But, it would appear as though Mother Nature had other plans, as heavy showers took its course, lasting for more than an hour. As the sudden rain began, patrons all scooted for coverunder the beer tents and the few shops alongside ‘Stelling Road’. Meanwhile, as the crowd dispersed, and even amidst the loud showers, some amount of murmuring was heard emanating from the crowd. It was criticisms towards a woman who was left sitting on a chair just in front of the stage, with a small baby in her arms. It was definitely ridiculous, and although she was armed with an umbrella, it was evident that the little one was not spared of the rain. Luckily, a member of the Crown Vibes team went to the rescue, trying his best to bar the child from the rain, as he escorted the woman into a nearby shop. Meanwhile, the music

speakers had to be covered with tarpaulins, bringing a halt to the competition which was about to begin. However, music continued to be played from the covered speakers, and patrons were dancing from under their shelters. The rain was a disappointment, but the onehour period sought to expose a somewhat hidden talent- it was that of the dancing man sweeping the accumulated water off the stage. It was the same babyrescuer who became the centre of attention, and the judges’ favourite. Even the sizzling back up dancers had nothing on the man who splendidly turned sweeping into a massively entertaining dance choreography. Some even opined that the man should be awarded the $1.5M first prize money up for grabs in the approaching CARIB Soca Monarch finals. The actual competition started shortly after 01:00hrs, but still saw a few brief interruptions because of the weather. But despite this, the Soca singers gave it their best shot, as the night’s performances moved apace. The five who scored less on the judges’ sheet were then eliminated, bringing the competition to an end. Come Saturday February 15, the finalists will all go up against Guyana’s Soca Monarch 2013, Jumo Primo, who was not present at the semi finals over the weekend, due to his earned participation in the Regional Soca Monarch Competition, which was being held simultaneously in Trinidad and Tobago. The second prize winner of the finals would be given $500,000, while the persons placing third and fourth would receive $250,000 and $100,000 respectively. The best new comer will be awarded $100,000. Also booked to share the fun-ship is CARIB’s Brand Ambassador, Trinidadian artiste KES and his band, a team that usually leaves no stone unturned when it comes to thrilling revelers.

‘Lady T’ doing “Hit the Road” which was a crowd favourite.

‘Bones Man’ urges his audience to not “gee blow if yuh can’t tek blow.”

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Kaieteur News

Monday February 10, 2014

Monday February 10, 2014

Kaieteur News

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Moves apace to stamp... GECOM “aware of possibility” (From page 6) those 16 years and older are given three tablets, Sagar said. To complement the DEC Tablet all individuals, regardless of age, are given a standard 400-milligram strength dose Albendazole tablet. “When used together this is the perfect combination for destroying the parasites,” said Sagar, who added that the tablets must be used once per year for five consecutive years for the parasites to be entirely destroyed. However, he cautioned that once the disease has started to manifest its symptoms are mostly irreversible although the use of the drugs will help to destroy the parasites thereby preventing it from spreading to other persons. “If a person who has the disease is bitten by a mosquito, the mosquito picks it up from that person and

transmits it when it bits someone else...there are persons walking around out there looking physically very good and normal but the parasite is in them,” related Sagar. It is for this reason Nurse Jones said that filariasis is regarded as “a childhood infection and an adult disease because it takes years to manifest. You can be infected as a child and not see the manifestation until you reach adulthood.” Currently, the MDA project is in its second stage of distribution whereby workers are tasked with going house to house to distribute the filariasis eradicating drugs. And according to Sagar, persons should not be opposed to taking the tablets. “We would want to believe the Guyanese people are serious about their health, and so even if they have not

taken the tablets;if there is an uncertainty we would encourage them to take it…it helps to reduce the disease and the tablets are completely safe,” he assured. The distribution in Central Georgetown is expected to be completed by this weekend and according to Nurse Jones efforts will then be made to reach communities on the East Coast and East Bank of Demerara. After the five-year period of mass drug distribution would have elapsed, a Transmission Assessment Survey will be conducted with a view of determining whether the exercise was effective in reducing the impact of the disease to one per cent or below. And should it not reach the desired goal, Sagar said that the IDB is prepared to fund an additional two years of the MDA project.

Monday February 10, 2014 ARIES (March 21 - April 19): Someone who you usually consider to be mellow and agreeable will start acting kind of feisty today -- which is going to be quite amusing to you! ******************* TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): Try to speak from the heart today -- as hard as that may seem at first. Your energy is better for emotional stuff than it is for practical business, and you could find that things start looking up later on. ****************** GEMINI (May 21 - June 20): Your mental energy is perfectly geared toward working with finances, so figure out retirement or investment options if you can. If not, then focus on more day-today stuff like your banking. ******************** CANCER (June 21 - July 22): You may feel shadowed today -- but it's just your spiritual energy busting out of your physical confines! ********************* LEO (July 23 - Aug. 22): You're bringing your emotions under control -- which is not the same thing as suppressing them! You should find that this new, patient side is even better at getting things done and keeping life together. ******************* VIRGO (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22): Spend extra time figuring out the details beforehand -you've got to deal with people who are confusing enough on normal days. *********************

LIBRA (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22) : Your daily routine doesn't quite work out for you today -- so adjust your mental state accordingly. You may find that it's actually easier to handle the disruption than whatever you had planned. ********************* SCORPIO (Oct. 23 Nov. 21): You should be able to get what you want today - it's easy with this great energy! You should check in with your boss or friend to call in that favor or to ask for something special. ******************** SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 Dec. 21): You and a friend or coworker are at odds with each other -- but it's most likely not a sign of any serious conflict. You are just out of sync, so try to back away until things start to feel better. .********************* CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 Jan. 19): You don't have to guess -- there are no hidden problems today. That means you can make some serious progress on the projects you know need some attention. That makes it really easy! ******************** AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 Feb. 18): Your emotional side is a little shaky now, but that doesn't mean that you're in peril or facing a breakdown. ********************* PISCE S ( F e b . 1 9 March 20): Your love life is shining today! You may find that your energy is perfect for speed dating -- or that your sweetheart is perfectly in tune with your mindset. Things are definitely looking up!

of General Elections - PRO

The anticipated acrimonious parliamentary debate over this year’s 2014 budget has presented in the minds of some, the possibility of General Elections, and the Guyana Election Commission (GECOM) is no different. GECOM’s Public Relations Officer (PRO) Vishnu Persaud told Kaieteur News that in relation to a possible call for General Elections, “the Commission has already started thinking along those lines and started to put itself together for that eventuality.” He said that should the President inform the Commission to convene for national polls, the organization would have three months (90 days) to prepare, unless Parliament asks for additional time. Persaud related that President Donald Ramotar would consult with the Elections Commission, which would in turn explain its position in terms of its readiness. He added that the Commission would also have to carry out a claims and objections exercise to create

a voters list. This exercise, he explained, would give an opportunity for persons not registered to get on the voters list, while helping in other areas such as identifying deceased voters. Persuad said, “We are aware of the possibility of elections,” before adding that, “as long as the finance is there, the Commission will be able to pull it off.” Persuad explained, however, that the life of Parliament lasts for five years and the time span is checked from the time of the first sitting of the Assembly. He noted that if the budget is not passed the possibility exists that Parliament can be “prorogue” (parliamentary sessions could be discontinued) and the President could make the call. The eventuality of national polls lies with the recent court ruling of Chief Justice Ian Chang, which restricts the political opposition from making any cuts to allocations put forward by the government. The CJ ruled that opposition does not have the power to

GECOM’S PRO Vishnu Persaud amend sums allocated to various public agencies. He said that although Parliament gives the opposition the power to amend, amend in that context means only to approve or disapprove aspects of the budget that the opposing House did not agree with or to oppose the whole budget if seen fitting. The two leading opposition parties have disagreed with the CJ’s ruling and noted that they will continue to make cuts where they deem necessary. The party leaders say that they are convinced that they have the right to make amendments according to the Parliamentary procedures. House Speaker Raphael Trotman has indicated his intention to uphold the CJ’s ruling despite him not being in agreement and highlighting the opposition’s right to appeal the matter. Attorney General Anil Nandlall has however slammed the opposition for statements about them not willing to adhere to the CJ’s ruling. The AG represented the government during the budget cut case, which was brought to the court by the current Administration after the opposition had significantly reduced funds from certain areas in the 2012 budget. Finance Minister Ashni Singh stated that the opposition’s responses to the ruling, “and in particular their apparent refusal to accept the conclusiveness and authoritativeness of the ruling, display their continued contempt for the courts of Guyana.” The Minister accused the opposition that despite numerous invitations to the parties for consultations on the 2014 budget, “they have bluntly announced their refusal to participate.” The opposition has however denied the Minister’s allegations and reiterated their stance to impose vast cuts on ministries, government departments and projects which they feel are riddled with corruption or wasteful spending.

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Kaieteur News

Monday February 10, 2014

Anti Money Laundering Legislation

FOR RENT

(From page 19)

PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. – CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 WANTED One Office Clerk must be computer literate. Apply @ Survival Lot 10 Bond Vlissingen Road. 1 Whole day domestic – Tel:667-5717; 650-4761 Live in housekeeper / babysitter. Must be willing to work, reliable, responsible, mature & Trustworthy. Please Call:619-2388/ 2226001 Female worker needed, 3 CXC subject or sound secondary school education- Call:626-8586 Watch man to work at Lamaha & Albert Street. Contact: 223-5273/4 Manager / Supervisor at Xenon Hotel Charity / Ebo. Accommodation provided, attractive salary is offered Contact: 771-4989; 7714180; 670-6559 Salesgirl with Secondary Education @ Christine’s Fashion – Tel:227-8529; 6091535 Able Bodies Labourers – Call:617-8369; 665-3550 Responsible Hire Car Drivers Tel: 231-7200 Experienced Hire Car drivers & minibus drivers – Call: 6450025 One welder for grill work – Call:625-5763 Workers for land Dredge – Tel:694-2310 One domestic help needed preferably from the East Bank Demerara Areas – Contact:628-5621 Cooks, kitchen Staff to work at snackette in Eccles and Restaurant on WCD – Contact:650-4974; 686-8640 Contract Cars & Hire cars Drivers to work at Gem’s Taxi Services – Call:627-9424

SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. – CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Repairs, sales & spares air conditioning, microwaves, washer, fridges & stoves. Ultra Cool, call:225-9032,647-2943 Repairs to Fridge, Freezer, AC, Washers, Stoves: Call 683-1312,627-3206 (Nick) HOUSE PLAN DRAFTING FOR ONLY $10,000CALL:694-9843/227-2766 We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer, dryer call:2310655,683-8734 Omar For all your prefab building works & welding fabricating etc. 5 Brickery EBD -Tel: 658-2567; 660-3466 Chauffeur & Personal assistant for company or own use – Call:687-7017 House plan drafting from$10,000 surveying and estimates services available Tel: 667-2189 Permanent & Visitors Visa Applications, Professional Immigration Consultant Room D5 Maraj Building Call:225-6496,662-6045, 223-8115 We Refill HP cartridges for $1800 call: 650-7699 Transportation services available in and out of Georgetown – Tel:646-4501 Masons seeking job work – Tel:678-9043 Technicians available for appliance repairs – washers, dryers, microwaves, stoves, deep fryers, etc – Tel:6190793; 218-0050 COOL TECH : Repairs Services & Installation of all types if homes appliances: Air Condition & Refrigeration units – Tel: 233-2008; 675-4959 Electrical Repairs & Servicing Done to generators, water pump, washer, dryers, fans, blenders, stabilizers & Transformers (Johnny 619-3194)

SALON Make Up Courses, Artist Trained & Certified in Trinidad. Call: 660-5257, 647-1773

MASSAGE

Beautopia Cosmetology Training: Day & Evening classes, nails, hair,facial / makeup - Tel: 604-3002; 629-3497

The Gent’s Spa: Let beautiful sophisticated masseuse pamper you: New masseuse available- Call:657-5979

CAMP STREET, Prime Business Space Call: 6394499 One Semi furnished apartment to rent at Industry ECD – Tel:222-6001 GT TOOLS RENTAL: TEL:675-0767; 627-2535 Fully Furnished 2 bedrooms apartment with hot & cold shower,etc. Only short term overseas guest. Contact:223-2812; 661-1717 Two bedrooms apartment at Better Hope, ECD – Call:6173001 between 8:00am-4:00pm Commercial Offices in Georgetown, commercial buildings, executive apartments & houses Contact: 223-8479; 647-3768; 628-1408, www.spaceseek.gy

TO LET Fully furnished short term apartments, Eccles call: 347933-9790, 639-4452. Fully furnished Vacation home with all amenities- Call during working hours- 2271218 Furnished apartment in Bent Street, Wortmanville – US$30 per day. Contact:2263309;218-1033; 678-4267 Alberttown - $50,000, Bel-Air - $100,000, Campbellville $90,000, Section K – $US1200 – Call Diana: 2272256; 626-9382 Eccles Furnished apartment, self contained with: Cable, phone, internet servicesCall:233-2770 Secured Concrete bond 87’X32’, lots of yard space suitable for CarMart Public Road McDoom: Tel: 233-0570 Furnished Apartments for Overseas Visitors – Contact: 668-5198

2 Business Stall @ Port Kaituma Market – Tel:6187983; 684-6428

Aracari Hotel. West Bank Demerara Rates from US$30 – Tel: 264-2946-8

Newly Constructed apartment – WCD – Call:698-6496

Furnished executive one or two bedroom suite in Diamond. Ideal for foreigners. Call:609-2466

3 Bedrooms @ South $70,000, Lamaha Gardens house: US$900, Ogle & Republic Park - Tel:231-2199; 618-7483

CAR RENTAL Dolly’s Car Rental- Call: 2257126/226-3693- dollysauto rental@yahoo.com/ www. dolly sautorental.com Premio, Vitz call:347-9339790, 639-4452. Wings Car Rental- Call: 643-1131 Untouchable, low rates, low deposits - Call:226-9668; 677-4613. Aidan’s Car Rental & Pickup Call: 645-7981/ 698-7807

Fully Furnished 2 bedrooms apartment in South - 6895877 (Overseas or Visitors)

EDUCATIONAL Princeton College Forms 1-5 CXC adults classes, Phonics, Sat, Lessons & Mathematics for slow learners - Tel: 223-7906; 6905008 Learn to decorate with Balloons. Classes on March 1st – Call: 225-3133; 613-7513 for more information. Need help with reading, English, etc? Call Private Tutor - 696-7467

Ministerial prosecuting powers should be transferred ….political parties must be reviewed under the law - Chris Ram Attorney General, Minister Anil Nandlall, has been the chief spokesperson in the Government benches seeking to deny the existence of exorbitant powers accorded to Ministers under the recommendations by the Caribbean Financial Action Taskforce (CFATF) regarding the proposed money laundering laws, but in his submissions to the Committee, FinancialAnalyst Christopher Ram, begs to differ. According to the submissions made to the Committee by Ram, the functions and powers of the Attorney General and the Minister of Finance under section two of the law should be transferred to an Anti-Money Laundering Authority and the courts respectively. According to Ram, the Committee should revise the provisions to take away any role of the Executive in the prosecution of Money Laundering. “Under this provision, if the Attorney General has reasonable grounds for believing that an entity has knowingly committed, attempted to commit, participated in or facilitating the commission of a terrorist act or is knowingly acting on behalf or on the direction of or in association with a person in a terrorist act, he can request the Minister of Finance to make an order declaring an entity as a “specified entity…Strangely, that term is not itself defined but is one of two entities under the definitions of “terrorist group.” Ram believes that the substantive Act should be amended to provide for the establishment of an Anti-Money Laundering Authority on the lines of Barbados, “and indeed our own Guyana Revenue Authority made up mainly of ex-officio members to whom the Director would report.” Ram further stated that there is a strong view in legal circles that the principal Act contains a number of

provisions which may be in conflict with the Constitution. He suggested that “it would be extremely useful to have an attorney-at-law with knowledge and expertise in constitutional matters review the Act to identify any such provisions and to make recommendations to address them.” Ram further said that political parties should also fall under the ambit of the legislation given the huge amounts of money involved in campaign financing. In his submission to the committee, Ram said, “to promote their objectives, including competing in hugely expensive elections campaigns, political parties must raise considerable sums of money for various political objectives without any obligation to disclose their sources of income, even to their own members.” Such sources, he said, could include terrorist groups, narcotics-traffickers, persons engaged in trafficking in persons, bribing of officials and in other serious crimes. He said while politically exposed persons falls within the groups to which reporting entities are required to pay particular attention, neither them nor their parties are included in the schedule as a reporting entity. Ram posits, given the level of cash transactions in which the Guyana society and no doubt political parties are engaged, “the existing provision that imposes some restraint solely or mainly at the banking level would be both inadequate and ineffective.” Ram says that “the absence of campaign financing legislation, or of any regulatory framework governing political parties, and the implications for the subverting of the country’s democratic process, make the inclusion of political parties as reporting entities vital.”

ALARMING NUMBER... From page 16 nets for children that are not academically inclined? We are clearly not moulding our children for the future. We need to expend to ensure the employment of the necessary resources and institutions to tackle the issue.” The Commissioner claims that the country’s administrators should not say that it is too expensive to implement these things. “We clearly need counselors. Some of the children are not prepared for the long road, they are trying to get rich quick so they choose paths that are inimical to sustainable development,” she lamented. Commenting on the New Opportunity Corps, she stated, “NOC is not going to solve the problem. We need to employ psychologists and do assessments so that we can tackle the problem.”

Monday February 10, 2014

Kaieteur News

Page 19

FOR SALE

FOR SALE

VACANCY

VEHICLE FOR SALE

LARGE QUANTITIES O F H IGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICKSILVER) 99.99995% PURITY $19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754.

Gifts from Jerusalem, we have various varieties of amazing and unique gift items – Tel:613-9589;678-0998

24 Hour East Coast Guyoil needs night pump attendants, salesgirl & office assistant Call: 670-8893/684-2838

New 2014 Isuzu: D-Max single & double cabsCall:691-0234

3 (8) weeks old: White Brown & Cream Fluffy Puppies – Contact:699-6006

Network Technician, must be able to work out of town email applications to jobs@awngy.com

M.F Tractor 3650, 4X4, 131 H/P, 6 Cylinder Turbo Diesel Tel: 228-5040; 662-9848 1-2640 MF Tractor 4wd with 1 – Rome Plough 20 dish, 1CAT Satndby 3306,194KVA 3 Phase 60 Cylinder – Tel:693-4596 Spare for washing machine, microwaves,fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, pumps, etc call: 225-9032, 647-2943 Live/pluck chicken call: 6504421, 220-9203 1- 500 Ton Cargo ship - Tel: 676-6933 Large Plucked Chickens $280lb retail, Pork $380lb retail @ George & Hadfield Streets. House and land situated at Lot 95 La Penitence Street, Albouystown. Land -7,933 Sq./Ft. – Call:592-687-5851; 604-589-1852 Dell computers complete with 20" LCD $65,000, 6 months warranty @ Futuretech- Call:231-2206 Zmodo Surveillance System – Tel:609-2815 Pure bred Rottweiler & German Sheperd- Tel:6108627/686-3072/618-2903 Fishing Boat: Length - 30ft, Width - 6½ft, Depth - 3½ft. Engine 15HP Tohatsu - Tel: 697-0648; 667-9662 1 - CAT D5 Bulldozer Contact Number: 650-0402 1 Stall @ Stabroek Market Tel: 658-0115; 718-757-8031 2 – M132 Laverda Combine, 3- Pressure Pump 4x3 for gold field – call:627-0447 1 Honda 250 customs motorcycle. Good condition. $380,000Call:627-0688 Toyota Verossa (White) Excellent Condition - $2.7M Negotiable – Contact: 6668492.

German Shepherd Pups. Tel: 220-2277; 220-8904; 626-0910 PVC Ceiling Panels, PVC Mouldings, Medallions. Royal Quality! – Tel:6148564; 629-0372 2005 Yamaha R6 motorcycle Tel: 609-2815 270 Amps Portable Honda Welders and 1-2002 Tundra Tel: 611-5114 All Types of Power tools, Hand Tools, Silicones, from spray, bicycle & spares, nails, etc -Tel:614-8564;6800862 4 Cylinder Perkins Engine bedded for Brazilian pump – Tel: 646-4501 Games PS2 $900, PSP $900, X-Box 360 $2600 & PS3 $2600- Call:672-2566 1- 40 foot Cabin Cruiser BoatCall:665-2314 CG125 Honda Motorcycle, excellent condition - Tel:6729530 Lovely Poodle Pups male and female vaccinated – Call:649-4247 Original Games - Call:672-2566 One enclosed Canter in immaculate condition. $2.5M Tel: 660-8260 1 20 KVA enclosed generators – call:675-7838 2 Trucks - Tel:618-1967; 6984321 75KVA Generator, 1 Crash Mercedes Benzes/ C200/ 1998-2000, 3 used commercial air condition and AE91 sprinter – Call:223-1589; 2274406 Houses in Georgetown, ECD & EBD. Investment Properties in Georgetown Commercial land - Contact: 223-8479; 647-3768; 628-1408 www.spaceseek.gy

One GX110 (PJJ Series) Toyota Mark 2. Lady Driven. Excellent Condition, $1.9M negotiable. Call:609-2466

House lots on EBD, 1,500 acres @ Berbice, Executive Apartment Complex Contact: 223-8479; 647-3768; 628-1408, www.spaceseek.gy

1 Set 05 Tacoma lights, 1 pathfinder A/C Compressor, 110V energy bulbs, 12V LED bulbs - Tel:641-1127

Pools. Table. Cloth. Balls. Pocket. Cuestick. Coinshute. Rubber. Chalk. – Tel:669-9927

Toyota Tacoma 4X4 Extra Cab 2002, Nissan Frontier 4X4 Extra Cab 2002, DJ System – Tel:695-9807

Food Warmer - Tel:696-9999

212, 192, Park Light, lens original – Call:695-0578

Brand New: Power fist Gasoline generators on wheel – 6500 watts – AC (DC) current 110-240 Volts Contact:617-2205

Cashiers @ Shell Service Station Providence EBD. Must be able to work shift (5am-3pm & 3pm-12pm) – Tel: 265-7305 Secretary! Send written application to Shakoor Seafood, 80 industrial Site, Eccles EBD Pump Attendant @ Shell Service Station Providence EBD. Must be able to work shift (5am-3pm & 3pm-12pm) Tel: 265-7305 Machine Operator to work at Garment Factory - Tel: 2222541 Lumber Factory Manager, Labourers, Lorry Drivers, woodmizer, brandsaw and moulder operators @ Eccles, Industrial Site – Call Richard 609-7675; 233-2614 One male cleaner. Apply Alabama Trading Georgetown Ferry Stelling Stabroek. Concierge/Security. Apply in person to B.M. Hotels Inc. 123 Kanuku Street, Section ‘M’ Campbellville. Hire Car drivers from ECD @ A-1 Taxi – Tel:220-1000 Two Joiners to work in Workshop – Tel:610-7005; 219-1342

PROPERTY FOR SALE Paradise [Land] - $1.5M, Happy Acres - $45M, Regent Street - $46M - Call Diana: 227-2256; 626-9382 Prime Property for sale – Light Street, Alberttown – Contact:639-3619, 619-7299 Satya Cinema Good Faith Mahaicony – Call:641-8472 Rice Factory @ Wakenaam & Poultry Farm @ Yarrowkabra – Tel:686-4994; 225-3070 Situated in Leonora opposite the market – Tel:674-0645 New 3 bedroom property @ 14 Dryshore, Essequibo, access to River. Bargain Price – Tel: 695-8381 At Eccles, East Bank Demerara Price -$38M . Please Contact -780-381-6147 or email: irgopaul@gmail.com FOR HIRE Dump Trucks for hire to transport sand, aggregate, etc and bobcat for rental – Tel:694-1657; 261-6664 All Types of Trucks - Tel: 618-1967 or 698-4321.

Host/Hostess & Cleaners – Interested persons can contact us on telephone number:603-4523

LAND FOR SALE 2- Acres cultivated, 2-1 Acres cultivated, 7 Acres cultivated, citrus, house, fish pond, storage at Parika- Call: 226-7968 Lot 12 Mon-Repos E.C.D, Market Street – Tel:2207330 Section ‘A’ Block Y Golden Grove – E.B.D – Call:6939736/ 697-5742 Private Development 50X100 @ Greenwich Park, EBE Tel: 690-5061

LEARN TO DRIVE Shalom Driving School @ 2 Croal street. Fee $16,000Call:227-3869 Ultravoilet Driving School – Contact:231-2372;6022583;658-4015 Soman & Sons Driving School , First Federation Building Call 689-5997, 6445166,622-2872,615-0964

One 800 Ford Tractor and one 450 Ford Towing Truck Contact Floyd:694-5599 or Gurro: 689-1864 One Toyota Prado and Tundra for sale: - Priced to sell – Tel:600-5759 or 225-0683-5 1 Toyota R4 2004 model – $2.6M cash – Tel:686-5083 Nissan Caravan – Driving Condition, all papers enforced - $250,000 – Tel:2662381 One 2005 Toyota Avensis. Owner leaving country! $3.4M – Tel:628-6160 Toyota Raum PMM Series $1.4M negotiable , Excellent Condition – Call:671-6051 2008 Fielder: Bodykit, spoiler, rims. Unregistered $2.95MCall:617-2891 Manual Mitsubishi Convertible eclipse. Excellent Condition! - $2M negotiable Call:625-9000 2 Ton open back canter with power gate, unregisteredCall:617-2891 One Toyota Tacoma 2006, 12ft Aluminum Boat, Tacoma : rims & tyres – Call:685-8282; 220-1981; 222-5671

1 Housekeeper must know to cook @ 223 Camp Street. (3 Storey building next to Shell Gas Station) – Call:644-7724 Security Guard: Requirements: Police Clearance must have NIS, & ID Cards, 2 recommendations, Age: 3545. Call: 642-8140; 642-8650

VEHICLE FOR SALE ALYEA AUTO SALE: CARINA 212 NEGOTIABLE @ 40 CROAL STREET STABROEK – TEL:2317284; 622-3823

Gold and Diamond mining lands already Prospected – Tel:646-4501 82 Acers @ Hogg Island, 120 acre @ Mahaicony & 11 Lots @ Wakenaam – Tel:6864994; 225-3070 ½ Acre Residential land at Yarrowkabra 5 Minutes of the Linden Highway. Price Negotiable – Call:611-1018 or 642-6564

Unregistered Toyota Fielder , fully loaded – Tel:689-0999; 663-2700 1 Black Titan 4 wheel drive, fully loaded - $3M negotiableTel:699-2322 or 678-2814 One Toyota Camry SV40: AC, mags, stereo. Price $950,000 negotiable – Tel:661-2391 One Fuso Mitsubishi Crane Truck & 3 Ton Crane GPP Series - $5.5M - Call: 622-6746 One Ford Crane Truck & 10 Ton Crane (new) - $8M – Call:622-6746 New ATVs: Introductory price $1,875,000 (Duty Paid)Call:691-0234 Smart Choice Auto: Unregistered: Premio, Runx, IST, Spacio, Fielder – Call:652-38201; 665-4529 Passo , Fielder, Raum, Premio - Call:661—9651; 681-8474 One Carib CRV – Price $1.5M negotiable – Excellent condition- Call:666-9472; 6733152

VEHICLE FOR SALE One Toyota Noah New model, mag rims crystal lights, flare, PSS Series $2.3M – Call:611-6632; 6643488 1 -1RZ, 15 seater, automatic mini-bus, BNN 3760 - $1.7M Negotiable. Good condition, never used for public transportation – Tel:628-0310 ; 672-5429 First Class Auto: Premio, Spacio, Passo, IST, 212, Raum Cold & New Modles Tel: 609-8188; 602-6307 1-55 Leyland Daf Excellent working condition. Price $2.8M Negotiable – Tel:6568346 1 Toyota NZE corolla, AT192, AT212, AT170, IST, Funcargo, Rav-4, Hilux pickup 4x4 – Tel:644-5096; 697-1453 Mitsubishi Lancer, excellent condition, HID lights, 17" mags, music - $1,250,000. Negotiable – Tel:275-0297; Cell:676-3000; 653-6490 One Super Custom Bus, unregistered 1 Toyota L Touring wagon, EP71 Starlet, Spacio - Tel:6445096; 697-1453 Unregistered Toyota Sienta (2004) 1500cc & 7 seater - Tel: 617-5536 2007 Axio $2.85M, Spacio $2.250M, fully loaded unregistered- Call:617-2891 2008 Honda CRV imported from England 17" Rim, fog lamps Surround Sound System, unregistered $6.8M neg. Tel: 642-7295; 220-2345 One RX-8 Mazda fully air conditioned, stick gear, wheel lights, fog lamps, power windows - Tel:653-2477 Hilux Surf, PKK Series – Tel:617-3001 1 AT212 new model for sale: AC, CD Deck, alarm , 15inch mags in excellent condition - $1.4M negotiable – Tel:669-7215 AT212 - $1.2M, Spacio $1.9M, Voxy GSS - $2.1M, Sienta Seven Seats - $1.6M, Madza Tribute PSS – Call:661—9651; 681-8474 1 Mitsubishi Galant Car; 1 Toyota Corolla AE100 Car, 1 Honda CBR motorcycle – Call:227-7544;612-2542; 6146011 (Continued on page 18)

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Kaieteur News

PRINCIPAL ON 75 SEX CHARGES

Cops make arrest after complaints at Tobago primary school Trinidad Express - A principal of a Tobago school is expected to appear before a Scarborough Magistrate today facing 75 sex charges. The man was arrested at his home by Scarborough police on Friday night, and was charged under the Sexual Offences Act with allegedly committing offences of a sexual nature against a 12year-old girl and other minors. Sources told the Sunday Express that several girls came forward with their story to the police. Police officials later

visited a primary school on the island and interviewed staff and some pupils. The principal was subsequently suspended following an internal investigation but was arrested by Tobago police on Friday. Last Friday during a press conference, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar read the riot act to citizens of this country, reminding the general public that people can face jail time if evidence of minors being sexually active is not reported. She said people can face

seven years in prison and a fine of $15,000 is the punishment, parents, doctors, nurses, teachers and employers face if these matters were not reported. According to Section 6(1) of the Sexual Offences Act anyone who is found guilty of having sex with a female under 14, who is not their wife, is liable to be imprisoned to life in prison. Section 7 (1) of the Sexual Offences Act says a first-time offender who has sex with a female between the age of 14 and 16, who is not their wife, is liable to 12 years in prison. A repeat offender faces 15 years imprisonment, Section 7(1) states. Persad-Bissessar described rape of minors as “heinous” and said no excuses should be tolerated. “They are heinous crimes against children, six-yearolds, seven-year-olds, a child’s life is gone forever,” Persad-Bissessar said.

Monday February 10, 2014

WTO Director General wants Bali, Doha negotiations to be ‘put back on track’ for Caribbean countries GENEVA, Switzerland CMC – The director-general of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Roberto Azevêdo, has urged member-states to make 2014 the year to implement “Bali and put Doha back on track” for the benefit of all, including Caribbean countries. At the first meeting of WTO ambassadors after the 9th Ministerial Conference, Azevêdo told the Trade Negotiations Committee that “Bali represents not just a huge achievement for all of us but also a huge opportunity. “There is real political momentum, and we must build on it,” he said, referring to the meeting in Indonesia. He said he had asked the chairs of the negotiating groups to “start a dialogue with members on (Doha Round) issues that we may be able to take forward”. “After an 18 year drought, Bali proved that the WTO can deliver negotiated outcomes,” Azevêdo said. “It delivered significant gains for the global economy and particularly for our developing and leastdeveloped members,” he

added. “And it moved the spotlight back onto us here in Geneva.” But the WTO director general warned that “Bali has not finished the job,” stating that “we have two very significant tasks before us. “First and foremost, we need to implement the decisions and agreements reached in Bali,” he said. “Second, the Bali Declaration instructs us to prepare a clearly defined work program on the remaining Doha Development Agenda issues by the end of 2014. “And we should remember that the Bali Declaration instructs that those areas where decisions were non-binding in nature must be a priority in our postBali work,” he added. “We must keep a relentless focus on these issues. “We must work together to keep up the momentum and the pressure that allowed us to reach a successful outcome in the first place,” Azevêdo continued. He said the Bali decision on Trade Facilitation calls on the Committee to carry out three immediate tasks – undertaking a legal review of the agreement; drafting a

Roberto Azevêdo protocol of amendment to include the Trade Facilitation Agreement in Annex IA of the WTO Agreement and receiving notifications of Category A . “2014 should be the year that we implement our first negotiated outcomes — and the year that the Doha Round is put back on track,” he stressed. “It will not be easy, but it is achievable. “We all have a role to play. Every voice will be heard. And I hope that together we can capitalise on the success in Bali, and seize the opportunity that it has provided,” Azevêdo added.

Trinidad company fires 6 in wake of oil spills P O R T- O F - S PA I N , Trinidad (AP) — Trinidad & Tobago’s state-owned petroleum company has fired six employees in the wake of a string of oil spills late last year. Petrotrin President Khalid Hassanali says the six workers had “high degrees of culpability” into spills in Trinidad’ southwest region

spanning a week in December. They were fired Saturday. It wasn’t immediately clear if they will be charged with any criminal offenses. Hassanali says six other workers were found to have a “lesser degree of culpability” and were reinstated. Last month, the government fined Petrotrin $3 million for violating

environmental and reporting standards. Spills of at least 7,500 barrels of oil impacted several communities, with some residents complaining of health problems. Fishermen also said the spilled fuel damaged their equipment and killed fish in waters between Trinidad and Venezuela.

First Caribbean Economic forum to be held in Barbados BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - CMC – Distinguis h e d Vi s i t i n g Fellow, Dr C Fred Bergsten, will participate in the firstever Caribbean Economic Forum on February 19. Bergsten, Senior Fellow and Director Emeritus of the Washington-based Peterson Institute, the only major research institution in the United States devoted to international economic issues, will interact with regional broadcaster, Julian Rogers, before fielding questions from a studio audience and the general public via emails and live call-

ins. This discussion forum, the first of its kind in the region, will examine the economic prowess of emerging markets, reforming the international monetary system, a strategy for the world economy in the 21st century and reform of the I n t e r n a t i o n al Monetary Fund. The Central Bank of Barbados said that it was deeply honoured to provide the opportunity for Barbadians and Caribbean people to interact with a “phenomenon among economists” on issues of

international import that are of significance to the island and the region. Governor, Dr DeLisle Worrell said the event will be of immense benefit to the region’s people, primarily because it affords them the opportunity to interact with one of the world’s h i g h ly renowned economists, who is responsible for building the top economics research institution in the world; and who has studied not only the economies of the developed world but also the developing and emerging markets.

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Kaieteur News

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Turning venom on the campaign trail into a ‘portion of peace and love’ Jamaica Observer - IF Portia Simpson had reflected more on it, she might have not gone ahead with the idea of challenging P J Patterson for the presidency of the People’s National Party (PNP), after Michael Manley stepped down due to ill health in 1992. But like driven people, backing down is hardly ever an option. Her life’s trajectory had been in this direction and she probably could not have stopped, even if she wanted to. Even before she knew that the vacancy would arise or that Patterson would seek the presidency, Simpson had hoped for new opportunities to serve her people and for personal development. She believed she could make a difference in a position of greater authority in the party and the country. This could have been it, she thought. Contesting the position against Patterson was somewhat out of the ordinary. She recalls campaigning for him when he ran for vicepresident of the party. But she was spurred on by admirers inside and outside of the PNP, among them Hugh Small, a former finance minister, and Dr D K Duncan, the former minister of mobilisation who had thrown their invaluable support behind her. Not long after deciding to give it a shot, she could see that the writing was on the wall. Patterson had the clear majority of the MPs and delegates. He went on to win and become prime minister, never losing another local or general election until he retired in 2006. “I know it was never going to be easy to defeat Mr Patterson. He had contributed so much to this great party and was there long before me, as a young lawyer,” she acknowledges. In fact, Patterson had campaigned for Norman Manley, the PNP co-founder and National Hero. “But he (Patterson) never held any malice towards me for challenging him and we have remained good friends. It’s the hallmark of a great leader,” Simpson Miller explains. Of course, it didn’t dawn on her that she, too, would get her chance to emulate this quality she had admired in Patterson. Demonstrating that he really had no ill will towards Simpson, Patterson invited her to his Cabinet as minister

of labour and welfare after securing his own mandate in the general elections of 1993. When Patterson reshuffled his Cabinet in 1995, he promoted her to a bigger Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Sports. In February 2000, he appointed her minister of tourism and sports and after the 2002 elections minister of local government and sport where she remained until 2006. “I enjoyed all the ministries in which I served, although I have to admit that I resisted leaving labour and social security for tourism,” she says. “I was very comfortable there and I had learnt so much about our country and people. I felt a sense of accomplishment when I got critical changes to cause more people to benefit from the Programme of Advancement through Health and Education (PATH). “But I came to enjoy tourism as well, working with people like Fay Pickersgill and Carole Guntley,” she says. The high points for her stint at tourism included development of the Tourism Master Plan for Sustainable Development and working with the Jamaica Tourist Board, the hotel industry and people in the United States to restore Jamaica’s image after the big fallout from the upsurge of violence in West Kingston when Reneto Adams-led police went after alleged criminals in Tivoli Gardens in 2001. Her stint in the Ministry of Local Government and Sports brought opportunities for much all-island travel and working among the people, which is the essential Portia Simpson. She especially cherishes the work with the late George Lee to gain municipality status for Portmore, which is steadily rising from a dormitory community to the Englishspeaking Caribbean’s largest city. She put much effort behind local government reform and in improving farm roads to give farmers better access to markets, noting that she encouraged the parish councillors that the more money they earned, the more roads she could get fixed or constructed. Local government also reminded her of her rural upbringing and the invaluable lessons she had learnt. She recalls one occasion when she had shown a tendency to

Portia Simpson Miller be scornful around other children. There was a boy with a runny nose who came to sit beside her and she chased him away saying “get away from beside me with your cold”. “My mother remonstrated with me immediately. She sent me for a rag and instructed me to wipe the little boy’s nose. Afterwards, she told me that the only time I should look down on anyone is to lift them up and that when I am going up I should always take someone up with me. Those lessons I have never forgotten.” And so now at last, Portia Simpson Miller’s time had come. When Patterson announced he was stepping away from representational politics and set internal elections in motion for PNP president and subsequently prime minister, Simpson Miller was ready. All the events before — the painful losses, the soaring triumphs, the missed opportunities, the glorious accomplishments, the tears and the joys — had been a prelude to this one moment in time. Simpson Miller faced three outstanding Comrades — Dr Peter Phillips, Dr Omar Davies, and Dr Karl Blythe. The campaign was at times bitter and divisive. Harsh things were said about her and her lack of intellect. It was hard to bear but “I collected all the venom that was spewed and created a potion of peace and love”. She lost the MP count, but was solidly backed by the delegates on February 26, 2006. Portia Simpson Miller was now PNP president. And history would welcome Jamaica’s first woman prime minister and the country’s seventh on March 30, 2006. But the internal divisions in the party were not settled and healing was taking a long time. It was in that state that

Simpson Miller called general elections — delayed briefly by a hurricane— for September 3, 2007. The PNP narrowly lost, but importantly she had not yet gained her own mandate. By July 2008 the tensions within the PNP had reached a crescendo, worsened by the electoral defeat. This time it was Peter Phillips who would face Simpson Miller alone in a bid for the presidency. She again won the delegates’ vote by a wider margin and set about the healing process. She would remain in opposition until December 29, 2011 when young Andrew Holness summoned Jamaica to the polls and lost badly to the rejuvenated PNP. Simpson Miller had, at long last, received her own mandate, with a two to one margin of victory. When she appointed Phillips as her finance minister and virtual number two, she had effectively cauterised the wounds and emulated Patterson’s treatment of her after she had challenged him in 1992. She ascribes her rise to the country’s top job to great support from many inside and outside the party, a solid upbringing and an appointment with destiny. She speaks with pride and love of her husband, Errald Miller of Cable and Wireless fame, and talks shyly about how they met. “I had met him at several functions before, but we did not speak to each other. Then one day he asked if we could meet. When we did, he asked me out to dinner and it began there,” she says, confessing: “He loves me and I love him very much.” She describes her husband as “firm, fair, bright and professional”. He is a Jack of all trades around the house and he acts as a news taster for her, sifting out constructive items that he thinks he should bring to her attention, because she doesn’t like to start her day with negative thoughts and criticisms. The question now is: What will be Portia Simpson Miller’s legacy? Her critics have found much to fault her on, but mainly complaints from some journalists that she avoids the local media and is not forthcoming, and that she travels too frequently without reporting on the value of those trips. Simpson Miller counters that some journalists push

microphones in her face, set up traps and don’t show her the respect a leader of government deserves. Moreover, she prefers to work and leave the talking to others. She travels when it is necessary because Jamaica has to remain in the thick of things to not be left behind. Plus, the benefits have been substantial, such as a J$1.6billion grant coming from the Chinese after her visit there. She attests that Jamaica’s name is good abroad and everywhere she goes she is treated with great respect. She notes that she is always answering questions about Usain Bolt, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, the world’s fastest man and woman, and latterly Tessanne Chin. There is personal pride in being selected among Time magazine’s 100 most influential leaders in 2012. In her own account, Simpson Miller says she will be remembered for her unstinting service to the poorest and most vulnerable Jamaicans, but also for embracing everyone. She has remained true to Norman Manley’s charge to the party to bring about economic revolution and to look out especially for the welfare of the masses, believing that after the current International Monetary Fund programme, Jamaica will see great progress and development. “We have to stick with the programme, while seeing to it that the poor are protected as best we can. We have to keep the bigger picture in front of us that is captured in Vision 2030. We will keep going after growth, going after investments to create jobs for our people, a better standard of living for our people,” she says. She points to the removal of sugar workers from barracks to decent housing,

with help from the European Union. “The sons and daughters of slaves whose blood has watered the soil of this land can now say ‘I own a piece of this Rock’. The spirit of their ancestors must be smiling.” But Simpson Miller is not smiling about crime, saying that no one in her Cabinet was happy with the level of crime and violence in the country. She urges all Jamaicans to band together to defeat the criminals, insisting that if the communities do not work together and unite around the issue, crime would not be solved. If nothing else, Portia Simpson Miller is certain that if she had to do it all over again, she would. “I am obviously more mature and have learnt so much more over time. So I would do some things differently. I would certainly fight more for my people,” she says. Ultimately, it is time that will determine what the Simpson Miller legacy is. It is too soon to be conclusive, for the script is not yet finished. There are a few more chapters yet to be written. It might not be for us, mere mortals that we are, to be the writers of that epitaph. Surely, there must be a working-class Jamaican woman somewhere in the remotest nook and cranny who can look at her growing daughter and think she could be the next woman prime minister of Jamaica. But if nothing else, and we could be afforded a peek into the vastness of time, we can be assured that history will testify that Portia Simpson Miller, an ordinary girl from rural Wood Hall, became an extraordinary woman and remained steadfast in a noble mission: to serve those who could not serve themselves.

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Monday February 10, 2014

Bolivia mudslide buries village; 4 dead, 9 missing LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) — Local officials in Bolivia say that heavy rains have caused a mudslide that’s buried a small settlement, killing at least four people. Another nine people are missing. Jimena Alegre is a local official in the municipality of Morochota. She told The

Associated Press by telephone yesterday that the mudslide occurred Saturday night in the Quechua community of Chuypakasa and buried the homes of 15 families. Rescue squads were working yesterday in hopes of finding more survivors. The

first responders are from Cochabamba, which is located about 220 kilometers (about 135 miles) east of the capital of La Paz. Heavy rains have been falling across most of Bolivia since November and an estimated 46,800 families have been affected.

Committee to start compiling legal case for reparation CASTRIES, St Lucia CMC — St Lucia and other CARICOM member-states have started compiling the region’s legal case for reparations from Britain for slavery and native genocide, with each c ountry to make its own national case as part of a common Caribbean case. The St Lucia National Reparations Committee (NRC) has been tasked, along with other similar entities in eight CARICOM member-states, to start the research and compilation process to gather the relevant information necessary for the government to make St Lucia’s case. Chairman of the St Lucia NRC Earl Bousquet said that mandating national committees to start the process was one of several decisions taken at the second meeting of the CARICOM Reparations Commission (CRC), held in

Barbados. “The meeting also adopted a regional strategic and operational plan to guide the work of the reparations movement at the regional and national levels and in its interface with Africa and Europe, as well as the Caribbean and African Diaspora,” Bousquet said. The mee t i n g w a s attended by delegations representing NRCs from Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago. Bousquet said the Barbados CRC meeting examined, among other things the role and function of the national committees, governance of the regional commission, and data requirements for the legal case. “We also looked at research and translation, mobilization and public

education, intergovernmental relations, media strategy, preparation of a regional strategic and operational plan and financing of the regional commission and the national committees.” Each delegation was led by the chairperson of the National Committee, who reported on the status of establishment of NRCs.

Jamaica Gleaner - Three sworn Justices of the Peace are set to appear in court today in an ongoing fraud case involving the bail of a murder suspect. The police’s Corporate Communication Unit (CCU) says the three Justices of the Peace are: Roy Stephenson, 54, of St Johns Road, Spanish Town, St Catherine; 67-yearold Dennis Ho, of Graham Heights, Kingston 8; and John Henry, 44, of Harrington Parkway, Avon Park in Spanish Town, St Catherine. Both Stephenson and Ho are facing charges of false declaration and conspiracy to defraud; while Henry is charged with conspiracy to defraud. The Justices of the Peace are to appear in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate’s Court along with their coaccused: 32-year-old Kwami N’Cosi and 40-year-old Stephanie Cole-Christie, both

of Spanish Town, St Catherine. They were charged in late January in relation to an ongoing investigation stemming from an incident on January 16, when two persons attempted to bail a suspect currently on a murder charge. The two co-accused, N’Cosi and Cole-Christie, were charged after it was discovered that the identification cards they had submitted were fake. Further checks by the police implicated Stephenson, Ho and Henry. Meanwhile, 39-year-old Richard Bertram, of Halifax Avenue, Kingston 6 is to return to court on Monday, February 24 to answer to charges of obtaining money by false pretense. He was arrested and charged on January 13 on allegations that he solicited while employed to a deposit-

taking institution US$57,000 from a customer between February and July 2008 under the guise that he owned and operated an investment firm. The matter was reported when the victim tried unsuccessfully to withdraw his investment. In a separate matter, a year-old case involving Leighton Gordon of 4 West, Greater Portmore, St Catherine - a former employee of the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) - is set for court on Tuesday, March 4. Gordon is accused of using his position as supervisor of the Two Sister Caves in St Catherine to steal J$112,533 from the state-run agency. He allegedly collected the monies under the pretense that they were to be lodged to a UDC account, but converted the sum for his own purpose. He is charged with larceny as a servant.

Earl Bousquet

Justices of the Peace on fraud for court today

Monday February 10, 2014

Kaieteur News

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Ukraine protesters, Russia increase pressure on Yanukovich KIEV (Reuters) Ukrainian protesters, now in their third month of action, kept up pressure on President Viktor Yanukovich yesterday with a mass rally where opposition leaders called for an end to his “dictatorial” powers. About 20,000 demonstrators rallied on Kiev’s Independence Square, focal point of the protest movement, as Yanukovich searched for a new prime minister and the currency of the heavily indebted economy, the hryvnia, remained under strain. Russia piled further pressure on him at the weekend, linking disbursement of the next tranche of its $15 billion aid package for Kiev to repayment of a hefty gas bill owed to Russian firms. Opposition speakers addressed both Yanukovich’s governing style and his decision to seek closer economic ties to Russia rather than sign a free trade pact with the European Union. “We want the system changed in the country - we want a system in which the

president serves the will of the people, a president who does not have dictatorial powers,” former economy minister Arseny Yatsenyuk told the crowd. Far-right nationalist Oleh Tyahnibok attacked Russia’s influence over Yanukovich, declaring: “Our struggle is not only against the regime of Yanukovich, but against those who support them against the Kremlin’s imperialistic policy.” Yanukovich met Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Sochi Winter Olympics on Friday. He has since returned to Kiev but no word has yet filtered out on what the two men discussed. In an unusual move, the state security service placed anti-terrorism units on alert in what it called a preventive step to stop possible attacks on sensitive installations such as airports and power stations. It said the new measures would apply to the blocking of approaches to state buildings and calls to seize installations where weapons are stored, a possible move against some radical

People shout slogans during an anti-government rally in Kiev yesterday. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich protesters who have been in violent clashes with police. The daily protests have complicated Yanukovich’s search for a new prime minister to replace Mykola Azarov, who stepped down on January 28. Choosing one unacceptable to the protest movement - could lead to an explosion of anger on the streets. Yanukovich sparked the protests last November by choosing the $15 billion lifeline from Moscow for Ukraine’s ailing economy

rather than the EU link that millions of Ukrainians see as their country’s future. At least six people have died in occasional violent clashes between radicals and riot police. Opposition leaders, with the backing of the Western

powers, are pressing for constitutional changes that would re-balance powers now heavily weighted towards the presidency between the president, government and parliament. They have already turned down offers of government posts under Yanukovich and are seeking instead to lead a technocrat government independent of him to manage the ailing economy. Vitaly Klitschko, another opposition leader, accused Yanukovich of stalling in talks with them. “He says we can change the constitution but that we have to wait months. People are not prepared to wait half a year,” the boxer-turned politician told the crowd. “They want one thing - early presidential elections.” The next presidential election is due in early 2015.

With the United States and its European allies pressing for Yanukovich to change his mind, Russia has frozen further disbursements under a $15 billion aid package of credits and cheaper gas until it sees the colour of Kiev’s next government. Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov has also pointedly reminded Kiev of its gas debt of $2.7 billion to Moscow. “We will fulfill what we have promised to Ukraine, but we would like the Ukrainian side to comply with the obligations that it has committed to,” he said on Saturday.

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Senator suggests quick approval, delayed enactment of immigration law WA S H I N G T O N (Reuters) - U.S. immigration reforms could be passed now but enacted after President Barack Obama leaves office if Republicans fear he will not enforce the new rules, a key Democratic senator said yesterday, offering a way to achieve one of Obama’s main policy objectives. Last week, Republican House Speaker John Boehner expressed doubts Obama’s long-sought overhaul of immigration laws would be passed this year and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said there was little interest in the issue with congressional elections looming in November. Boehner said one of the biggest obstacles to immigration reform in the House was a concern that Obama would not fully enforce any laws that might be approved. As evidence of that, he accused him of changing “the healthcare law on a whim, whenever he likes”. On NBC’s “Meet the Press” program, Senator Charles Schumer, a New York

Charles Schumer Democrat and one of chief architects of the Senate’s bipartisan immigration plan, offered what he said was a simple solution. “Let’s enact the law this year but simply not let it actually start until 2017 after President Obama’s term is over,” he said. “Now, I think the rap against him that he won’t enforce the law is false. He’s deported more people than any president but you could actually have the law start in

2017 without doing much violence to it.” Schumer said it would be difficult to pass immigration reform in 2015 or 2016 when the next presidential election season opens because Republican candidates would be staking out conservative positions on immigration in order to differentiate themselves from Democrats. Representative Rob Portman, a Republican from Ohio who has been active on immigration in the House, said “some Republicans would be interested” in Schumer’s idea about delayed enactment, especially if there were measures to increase border security and prevent employers from hiring undocumented workers. In June, the Senate passed a comprehensive bill that would provide a path to citizenship for those in the country illegally and tighten border security. The bill stalled in the House, where many lawmakers oppose offering legal status for some 11 million people who live in the United States unlawfully.

Monday February 10, 2014

Syria regime team arrives in Geneva for peace talks Geneva (AFP) - Syria’s government delegation arrived in Geneva yesterday for a fresh round of peace talks with opposition representatives. Members of the opposition delegation also arrived in the Swiss city, a source close to the National Coalition told AFP. A source close to the government delegation told AFP that representatives of the regime entered the Hotel de la Paix in Geneva from a back door and made no statements to reporters. The government delegation is headed by Foreign Minister Walid Muallem, as was the case for the first round of the socalled Geneva 2 process 10

days ago. That round ended without any concrete agreement on Syria’s raging war, which in nearly three years has killed more than 136,000 people. Muallem is due to meet UN-Arab League envoy Lakhdar Brahimi at 7:00 pm (1800 GMT) in Geneva, the source close to the regime delegation said. The source close to the opposition team said some members of the delegation had arrived in Geneva, but it was not yet clear if Coalition chief Ahmad Jarba was among them. The two warring sides appear far from reaching any compromise. While the regime insists the talks focus on fighting “terrorism” — its term for the

Walid Muallem revolt — the opposition demands the priority in Geneva be agreement on a transition that excludes President Bashar al-Assad.

U.S. aid plan seeks to shield Afghanistan from end to war economy KABUL (Reuters) - The Obama administration will unveil today a package of aid initiatives it hopes will help Afghanistan, still one of the world’s poorest countries after a dozen years of massive international aid efforts, shield itself from the departure of foreign troops and an expected drop in assistance. The announcement from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) of three new development initiatives worth almost $300 million is part of a U.S. effort to ensure that Afghanistan, as its ‘war economy’ ends, won’t slide backwards into greater poverty or reverse gains made over the last 12 years in health, education and other areas. “The question is, what can we do now to make sure Afghanistan is as healthy, sustainable and feasible as possible going forward,” Larry Sampler, the agency’s chief official for Afghanistan and Pakistan, said in an interview. The initiatives extend U.S. assistance for Afghanistan’s food sector; seek to help the Afghan government boost revenue and join the World Trade Organization within a year; and secure agreements between U.S. and Afghan universities to ensure young Afghans are trained for jobs. But how much outside help aid-reliant Afghanistan will receive in the years ahead remains in doubt, as uncertainty continues about a possible post-2014 NATO troop presence and as fiscal pressures in donor nations squeeze aid budgets. Last month, U.S.

lawmakers halved civilian aid for Afghanistan, reflecting growing reluctance in Congress to continue generous aid levels there, concerns about waste and fraud, and frustration with the Afghan government itself. The Obama administration continues to press Afghan President Hamid Karzai to sign a bilateral security pact needed to keep U.S. troops there after this year. His refusal to do so has strained already fraught U.S.-Afghan relations. Decisions by the United States on future aid levels to Afghanistan may in turn shape actions by other donor nations, which gathered in Tokyo in 2012 to announce their intentions to provide aid to Afghanistan for years to come. While the United States did not pledge a specific amount for future aid, it had promised to seek aid near current levels of just over $2 billion at least through 2015. U.S. officials said the new initiatives would not be affected by the recent budget cut, because they would set aside money now for the full four or five years they are designed to last. Sampler said the initiatives would aim, in part, to provide a buffer as the war economy winds down. As foreign troops leave, so will the contractors and service providers supporting military operations, and the knock-on economic activity they have created since 2001. “There’s going to be a lull in the economy, and we want to minimize that lull,” he said. Andrew Wilder, who directs Afghanistan and

Pakistan programs at the U.S. Institute of Peace, said the focus of the new programs on regional trade and the rural economy made sense given the “difficult and painful” economic transition Afghanistan would face in coming years. “However, realizing this potential will largely be dependent on relative peace and stability in Afghanistan, and a significant improvement in Indo-Pak relations - which unfortunately both still seem like enormous obstacles to overcome,” Wilder said. Under the new USAID programs, $125 million will go to Afghanistan’s food and farm sector, traditionally the base of its economy. While aid programs have poured millions of dollars into the farm sector since 2001, poor roads and Afghanistan’s land-locked position in central Asia make food exports difficult. Sampler said the new programs would focus more on agribusiness and on getting crops to market than in the past. Another $77-million, fouryear program will seek to open Afghanistan up to greater international trade and investment, and to improve tax and revenue collection. Sampler said Afghanistan may be able join the World Trade Organization in late 2014 or early 2015, which could give its economy a boost. A final program worth almost $100 million would seek to help 10 Afghan universities give young people the practical skills they need to work in the private and public sectors, in partnership with three U.S. universities.

Monday February 10, 2014

Kaieteur News

Eight killed in attack on Pakistani pro-government militia leaders (Reuters) - A sleeping family of eight was killed in an attack on the home of two progovernment militia leaders in Pakistan’s restive Baluchistan region yesterday, officials said. The victims included women and children and the two brothers, who helped to lead a local pro-government militia in Dera Bugti district, about 250 km (150 miles) southwest of the provincial capital, Quetta, police said. “Ghazi Khan Marhata Bugti and his brother Imam Bakhsh were commanders of Bugti Peace Force, and their entire family were killed in the attack,” said Provincial Home Secretary Asad Gilani. Two attackers were killed in an ensuing shoot-out with other members of the militia, he said, and four more attackers were killed in

a later gun battle with the Frontier Corps, a government-run paramilitary force. A spokesman for the Corps said a banned separatist group, the Baloch Republican Army, had killed the family for cooperating with the security forces. “The people of the area identified three BRA men killed in the clash. They were involved in killing, kidnapping for ransom, attacking security forces and blasting gas pipelines,” the spokesman said. Baluchistan is Pakistan’s largest and poorest province. The arid western region is rich in minerals but plagued by violence. Rebels accuse the federal government of looting the region’s resources while leaving its people in poverty.

Six hundred Syrians flee besieged Old Homs in aid convoy

A United Nations and Syrian Arab Red Crescent aid convoy is seen along a street in Homs city. REUTERS/SANA/Handout via Reuters BEIRUT (Reuters) - Six hundred people left the besieged ruins of rebel-held central Homs yesterday, escaping more than a year of hunger and deprivation caused by one of the most protracted blockades of Syria’s devastating conflict. The evacuees, mainly women, children and old men, were brought out by the United Nations and Syrian Red Crescent on the third day of an operation during which the aid convoys came under fire and were briefly trapped themselves in the city. Video footage from inside Homs showed scores of residents, carrying a few bags of possessions, rushing across an open expanse of no-man’s land towards 10 white vehicles with U.N. markings. Gunshots could be heard as they raced to the cars. “The last vehicle has arrived and the total is 611 people,” Homs governor Talal Barazi told regional Arab broadcaster Al Mayadeen at a meeting point for evacuees outside the city. The Red Crescent confirmed that around 600 people were evacuated and

said 60 food parcels and more than a ton of flour were delivered to the Old City. Barazi and Red Crescent officials said they were working to extend the operation beyond Sunday, the final day of a fragile and frequently violated three-day ceasefire in the city. Some of those who came out were men of fighting age who were not originally eligible to leave, Barazi said, but they had agreed to hand themselves over to police and judicial authorities and could win their freedom through amnesty. Authorities suspect all men of fighting age to be part of rebel forces fighting to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad. Assad’s authorities and rebel fighters have traded accusations of responsibility for attacks on Saturday which stranded the joint United Nations and Red Crescent team in central Old Homs for several hours after dark on Saturday. The convoy was targeted as the relief workers were handing over food and medical supplies in the district where the United

Nations says 2,500 people had been stranded by an ever-tightening military siege since the mid-2012. The Red Crescent said one driver was lightly wounded but the rest of the team eventually left safely. Video footage released by activists showed the team, led by U.N. humanitarian coordinator in Syria Yacoub el Hillo, taking refuge on Saturday in a basement while explosions rocked the rubblestrewn, devastated streets above them. In another video filmed inside Homs on Saturday, Hillo said the aid supplies, including food parcels, medicines and hygiene kits, were just a drop in the ocean when set against the conditions endured by people trapped for months on end. “When I look around me and see the level of need, and suffering of all - especially the children, the women and the elderly - let me say that even though it’s a significant amount of medical and nutritional aid, it’s still just a drop,” he said. “But let’s start with this drop.”

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Israel PM slams Iran move to send ships towards US Jerusalem (AFP) - Israel yesterday denounced an Iranian announcement that it was sending naval ships towards the United States as further evidence that loosening sanctions on Tehran was counterproductive. The move to send warships to the Atlantic was announced by the commander of Iran’s northern naval fleet on Saturday, who described it as a “message.” The ships “have already started their voyage towards the Atlantic Ocean via the waters near South Africa,” said Admiral Afshin Rezayee Haddad, in remarks quoted by Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency. Iranian media reported that two ships — a destroyer and a helicopter transport vessel — had been dispatched on January 21. It was not clear how close the ships would travel towards the US maritime border or when they would arrive. But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the

Benjamin Netanyahu dispatch of the warships was clear evidence of Iran’s “aggression” and proof it had not moderated its policies following a landmark deal with world powers to roll back its nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief. “The easing of sanctions against Iran by the international community has not caused Iran to moderate its international aggression the complete opposite has occurred,” Netanyahu told

the weekly cabinet meeting in remarks relayed by his office. Israel, the region’s sole if undeclared nuclear-armed state, has long viewed Iran’s controversial atomic programme as a threat to its existence and has not ruled out military action to prevent Iran from gaining a nuclear weapon. Iran has always insisted its nuclear programme is entirely peaceful, and President Hassan Rouhani, a moderate elected last year, has vowed to allay Western concerns about it. In September 2012, Iran said it was planning to send naval forces to the Atlantic to deploy along US marine borders to counter a beefed up US naval presence in the Persian Gulf, Fars reported, with the navy chief saying the buildup would begin within several years. In December, the Pentagon said it was not planning to scale back its vast military presence in the Gulf despite the six-month interim nuclear deal.

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Kaieteur News

CHEYENNE WOODS, TIGER’S NIECE, WINS

Monday February 10, 2014

Hosts win thrilling first Test in Auckland

Australian Ladies Masters (Reuters) - Cheyenne Woods, niece of 14-times major winner Tiger, claimed the biggest title of her professional career with a two-stroke victory in the Australian Ladies Masters on Sunday. The 23-year-old American carded a final-round fourunder-par 69 at the Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast for a total of 16-under and finished ahead of 17year-old Australian amateur Minjee Lee for her first win on the Ladies European Tour. “This is a huge accomplishment for me,” Cheyenne, the daughter of Tiger’s half brother Earl Junior, told reporters. “I’ve been pro for two years and, for the majority of it, people just think of me as

Tiger Woods’ niece so now I have a game of my own and I have a title now, a win, which is exciting.” Cheyenne was happy she had finally proved that she did not just share the surname of her famous uncle. “It’s nice now to say to people that I can play and I’m not just a name,” said Cheyenne, who won her first minor title in the United States in 2012. “Growing up with the last name of Woods, there’s a lot of expectations and pressure and spotlight on you but I always knew that I was able to win. “I always knew I’d be able to compete with these ladies so now it’s kind of a weight off my shoulders because now everybody knows not just me.”

Cheyenne Woods of the U.S. looks her approach shot onto the fifth green during the third round of the 18th Evian Masters golf tournament in Evian July 28, 2012. REUTERS/ Denis Balibouse

New Zealand players celebrate their victory. (Getty Images) BBC Sport - New Zealand edged to a 40-run victory over India in the first Test after a tense finish in Auckland on Sunday. The Black Caps bowled India out for 366, short of their 407 target, after they resumed at 87-1 on day four. India briefly looked on course for an unlikely victory thanks to Shikhar Dhawan (115), Virat Kohli (67) and Mahendra Singh Dhoni (39 off 41). But Dhoni’s controversial dismissal by Neil Wagner left India 362-9 and the Test was over three balls later. The India captain played a short ball on to his stumps but was told to wait as umpires checked for a no-ball. Video replays appeared to show Wagner’s back foot touching the side crease at one point, which is a no-ball infringement, but Dhoni was eventually given out.

India faced an uphill battle to get back into the Test after New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum’s man-ofthe-match 224 helped the hosts to a 301-run firstinnings lead. But the tourists made a fist of it by dismissing New Zealand for 105 in their second innings on day three and making a solid start in their quest to record the thirdhighest successful run-chase in Test history. However, day four did not

start well for India, as Cheteshwar Pujara (23) edged a Southee delivery and wicketkeeper BJ Watling took the second of his six secondinnings catches. Kohli and Dahwan put on 126 for the third wicket but both were caught by Watling off the bowling of Wagner, who finished with 4-62 in the innings and eight wickets in the match. Wickets continued to fall at regular intervals and when Zaheer Khan (17) fell, India

were 349-8 and Dhoni’s dismissal all-but ended the contest. The Test was over three balls later when Ishant Sharma (4) edged Boult through to Watling to put the hosts 1-0 up in the two-match series. Scores: New Zealand 503 (McCullum 224, Williamson 113, Ishant 6-134) and 105 (Ishant 3-28) beat India 202 (Rohit 72, Wagner 4-64) and 366 (Dhawan 115, Wagner 4-62, Southee 3-81) by 40 runs.

Sochi 2014: Austria’s Matthias Mayer wins men’s downhill gold BBC Sport - Austrian Matthias Mayer stormed to victory in the men’s Olympic downhill as favourites Bode Miller and Aksel Lund Svindal missed out on a medal. Mayer, 23, competing in his first Olympics, went one better than his father Helmut who won silver in Super-G at the Calgary Games in 1988. He clocked two minutes 06.23 seconds down one of the most challenging and certainly the longest Olympic downhill course ever to beat Italy’s Christof Innerhofer by 0.06secs. Norway’s Kjetil Jansrud was third, 0.10 secs adrift, with World Cup downhill leader Svindal 0.29secs back in fourth. American Miller, 36, bidding for a sixth Olympic medal and second gold, was fastest in two of the three training runs on the steep, icy track above Rosa Khutor village but was unable to replicate his pace on an overcast race day and finished eighth. “I was looking to win and I thought I had a good chance at it and I was well prepared, so it’s tough when things don’t go your way,” said Miller, who won downhill bronze in Vancouver four years ago. “It was one of those days, I skied pretty well

Austrian Matthias Mayer stormed to victory in the men’s Olympic downhill. and was pretty aggressive and took a lot of risks. “I made a couple of small mistakes but not the sort of mistakes that cost you a lot of time. “The visibility has changed a ton since the training runs. We had better conditions then, and now with the humidity the snow changed a lot. That was the biggest factor. The middle and bottom slowed down so much from the beginning of the race until when I went that I think you would have had to do something magical to have won.” Svindal, the defending Olympic super-G champion and downhill silver medallist in 2010, consoled himself that fourth place was an occupational hazard of ski racing.

Mayer, who becomes the first Austrian to win downhill gold since Fritz Strobl in Salt Lake City in 2002, has never won a World Cup downhill race and was 13th in the World Championships in 2013. But after beginning 11th out of the 50 racers in the field he continued a trend of toppling favourites in the Olympic downhill. Innerhofer, 29, also won his first Olympic medal, while Jansrud, 28, added to his giant slalom silver from Vancouver. Defending champion Didier Defago of Switzerland was the 27th man out of the start gate and drew gasps from the crowd in the finish area as he posted the fastest time on the first two splits.